We’re addressing complex problems that simply can’t be

solved by a single organization.

Collective Impact

The Aspen Institute frames the big picture problem as 6.2 million Opportunity Youth—young people ages 16-24—across the nation who are neither working nor in school. The estimated economic impact of this represents $37,000 per teen or young adult, per year. That’s a staggering total of $229 billion per year in lost wages, tax revenue, and social services costs.

In 2013, the Aspen Institute launched its Opportunity Youth Incentive Fund to organize collective impact strategies in 21 communities around the country. TeenForce helped lead a successful effort to have Santa Clara County selected as one of those communities, which has resulted in a community-wide focus on re-engaging Opportunity Youth in education, training, and employment.

We are proud to be a founding member of the Santa Clara County Opportunity Youth Partnership (OYP). OYP is a collective impact collaborative focusing on improving outcomes for our county’s 13,900 teens and young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not working or in school. OYP puts special emphasis on supporting foster, justice-engaged, parenting, and homeless teens and young adults. Our CEO serves as co-chair of OYP.